The Rhythm of Nature: Why I Do It
Why do I set my alarm for 3 a.m., fighting the inner voice that begs me to roll over and catch a few more hours of sleep?
My passion for the craft began at a young age. I studied photography at school, often combining it with hobbies like fishing, before life took over and the camera temporarily took a back seat. It wasn’t until my children were born that I fell back in love with the art. Today, I pursue photography to step away from the noise of everyday life, disconnect from the headlines, and reconnect with nature.
I do it for the solitude—the chance to immerse myself in nature. There is nothing quite like standing among the trees of an ancient woodland at dawn. I relish the quiet stillness, surrounded by birdsong and the scent of damp earth, watching the mist ebb and flow. I love witnessing a summer dawn break as the sun slowly climbs across a beautiful stretch of species-rich grassland, or observing an adder weaving through a bramble thicket to seek the warming rays of the early spring sun. With a growing reverence for the natural world, I find myself acutely aware of the flora and fauna around me.
Photography is the bridge that connects me to this world. It forces me to slow down, notice the finer details, and remain curious. When I shoot, I concentrate so deeply on my subject that time seems to stand still.
Immersing my senses in the natural world’s rhythm is both essential and revitalising. Slowing down to truly observe allows me to catch the fleeting moments others might miss, profoundly enriching my everyday life. This is why I pick up my camera.
Commendations & Publications
Over recent years, I’ve entered several competitions and been fortunate enough to have some of my images published. My main motivation was curiosity—I wanted to see how others perceived my work. Because photography is an art form, everyone has their own taste and opinion on imagery. While I always welcome constructive feedback, I ultimately photograph what captures my eye and interests me. I also process images to my own taste, using minimal editing to keep the final image true to what I witnessed in the field.
2020 Outdoor Photography magazine - Runner-up ‘If you only do one thing this month – Nature up-close’ competition. Image published in issue 262
2021 WildArt Photographer of the Year. Commended - Backyard category
2021 Close-up Photography of the Year 03. Two images shortlisted. Butterflies & Dragonflies category.
2021 WildArt Photographer of the Year. Top 100 - Light category
2021 Outdoor Photography magazine - Runner-up in our ‘If you only do one thing this month – Wildlife portraits’ competition. Image published in issue 271
2022 Published in the WildArt Photographer of the Year book
2022 Outdoor Photography magazine - Runner-up ‘If you only do one thing this month – Moments in macro’ competition. Image published in issue 284
2023 Kent Wildlife Trust - Photographer of the Year
2024 Outdoor Photography magazine - Runner-up ‘If you only do one thing this month – Summer macro’ competition. Image published in issue 310
2024 Published in the British Wildlife Photography Awards Volume 13
2025 Outdoor Photography magazine - Runner-up ‘If you only do one thing this month – Local landscapes’ competition. Image published in issue 317
2025 International Garden Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended - Wildlife in the Garden category.